Tire Question

[TVdawg]

I ran over a nail Friday and had to plug my rear tire. The plug is holding but I don't trust it for regular use, therefore, I now need a new tire. The current tire is a Pilot Road but I've been thinking of going with ME880's. Obviously, if I do, I will replace the front rubber as well.

 

I noticed you can only find the ME880's listed in the cruiser section of most on-line dearlers. There are also two versions listed. If you are using ME880's, please let me know how you like them, which model, (VR or VB) you are using and where you bought them.

 

I've bought tires in the past from SWMoto and MCAccessorie warehous.

 

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[maxscycle]

I like my 880's. I have radials on the bmw rt but have bias ply on the harley. 'd like to think as long as the 880 is the same (bias vs radial) as the road pilot. You'd be good to go

[myshkin]

I used the 880 on the rear with a Z6 on the front for my last set and got a little over 14000 miles on them. I was very happy with the combo and did not have the really bad handling in the last few thousand miles that I experienced with Mez4s. Although some complain about their wet performance, I did not notice any adverse effects in the rain. In fact, I thought the handling was just fine and have not noticed any different between them and the new set of MEZ6s just installed. I think my tire was a VR and I bought the set from SW moto.

[TVdawg]

Thanks for the reply. I realize the ME880 is a bias-ply tire but a friend is using them on a Vstrom and likes them.

 

I'm still confused about the VB and VR notation. Does anyone know what the differnce is? I tried to search the Metzeler web site for info without luck.

[boatzo]

VR = Radial VB = Bias

[Paul Mihalka]

Sportier lighter touring bikes like the R1150RT should use the radial (VR) version. Heavy touring bikes like the BMW K1200LT or Harleys use the belted (VB) version.

[AndyT]

I have a 2003 Rt and put the ME880VR (R for Radial) on my bike and like the ride and handling a lot! I believe the wheels on your RT are made for Radials although I am sure you could get away with Belted (VB) if you wanted. I would think the intended Radials would handle better on your RT!

[Bud]

SW Moto, 880's front and back, VR's.

[Heck]

SW Moto, 880's front and back, VR's.

 

 

+1

 

I have them on my 2k3 RT......They're GRREATT!!! (Tony the Tiger)

[TVdawg]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. The VR and VB now make sense. Looks like I'll be placing an order today.

[boatzo]

Let us know how you like them after you have had a fair chance to evaluate them.

[TVdawg]

I ordered the tires from swmoto. Hopefully they'll be here in a few days.

 

Since my initial problem was a nail in the rear tire, I'm considering trying the bike with the new ME880 on the rear and the old (but still good) Pilot Road on front. I hate to toss a good tire but I also want to be safe.

 

Anybody with experience in mixing rubber?

[boatzo]

I ordered the tires from swmoto. Hopefully they'll be here in a few days.

 

Since my initial problem was a nail in the rear tire, I'm considering trying the bike with the new ME880 on the rear and the old (but still good) Pilot Road on front. I hate to toss a good tire but I also want to be safe.

 

Anybody with experience in mixing rubber?

 

Had the same situation here. The front needed to be replaced and the rear was good.

 

I now have a Bridgestone Battlax on the rear and an Avon Azro on the front. Seems to ride fine as far as I can tell.

 

I am considering 880s for new tires when I need them.

[TVdawg]

Interesting... As mentioned earlier, a friend has the ME880's on a 650Vstrom and loves them. He rarely takes the bike off pavement and did not need the dual sport tire. He says they are great on the slab and in the twisties. He even reports decent results in the rain.

 

I'll let you know how they do on the RT. I don't usually get over 7K out of a set of tires. Most say 11K to 14K is about what I can expect out of the ME880's. We'll see...

[AndyT]

Did you order the radials or the belted? You really shouldn't mix a radial with a belted but shouldn't have any problems as long as they are both the same construction, i.e. both radials or both belted!

[TVdawg]

Radials. You're right, I would never mix bias and radials. Mixing rubber compounds gives me pause too. We'll see how it handles.